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Monday 8 August 2011

How to bond with your mom-in-law

To have a happy family, you have to keep your mom-in-law happy. This is the whole enchilada. But most married women (mostly newly married) fail to strike the right chord, and end up ruining many relationships. But your mom-in-law is not as hard a nut to crack as you think.

Here's how you can work it out

-Understand her. You are breaking into an already established family which has its own traditions and habits. Don't try to change everything as per your needs. Understand her point of view, communicate yours and then come up with a common solution.

-Be open-minded. Don't come with a baggage. Embrace the new ideas that your in-laws have. You don't have to completely change yourself for them. You just have to love everything about them.

-Find a common interest. No woman in his world can not like shopping or watching TV. If she has an adventure streak, explore it. If she likes going out, take her. And finally, try to genuinely enjoy what you are doing with her.

-Go for a lunch date. Offer to take her to her favourite restaurant. Bonding in the afternoon hours really works

-Show genuine interest in her. Talk about her childhood, your husband's childhood, her interests, her dreams and you'll find many reasons to bond with her.

-Relax and be yourself. No one expects you to suddenly turn into a different person. Clap along, dance along but do not force yourself to do what you are not comfortable in. She will love you once she understands you as an individual.

-Work it out with your spouse. Love your mom-in-law's son (your husband), respect him, understand him and don't send him in a fix to choose between you and his mother.

-Be the glue. Bring them together, resolve issues and talk about your feelings with your in-law.

misha.paul@timesgroup.com
Source: The Times of India

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